Helleborus plant named ‘COSEH 5100’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Helleborus  plant named ‘COSEH 5100’, characterized by its upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; single light yellow green and red purple to greyed purple bi-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Helleborus x ericsmithii x Helleborus x hybridus.

Cultivar denomination: ‘COSEH 5100’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Helleborus Plant Named ‘COSEH 5200’

Applicant: Josef Heuger

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/602,786

Title: Helleborus Plant Named ‘COSEH 5300’

Applicant: Josef Heuger

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/602,773

Title: Helleborus Plant Named ‘COSEH 5400’

Applicant: Josef Heuger

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/602,736

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHelleborus plant, botanically known as Helleborus x ericsmithii xHelleborus x hybridus and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘COSEH5100’.

The new Helleborus plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Glandorf, Germany. The objective of thebreeding program was to create new uniform Helleborus plants with uniqueand attractive plant habit, leaf and flower coloration and tolerance tobiotic and abiotic stress.

The new Helleborus plant originated from a cross-pollination conductedby the Inventor in Glandorf, Germany in January, 2012 of a unnamedselection of Helleborus x ericsmithii, not patented, as the female, orseed patent and an unnamed selection of Helleborus x hybridus, notpatented, as the male, or pollen parent. The new Helleborus plant wasdiscovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant fromwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlledgreenhouse environment in Glandorf, Germany in February, 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Helleborus plant by divisions in acontrolled environment in Glandorf, Germany since March, 2014 has shownthat the unique features of this new Helleborus plant are stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Helleborus have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘COSEH 5100’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘COSEH 5100’ as a new and distinct Helleborusplant:

-   -   1. Upright and mounded plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   4. Freely flowering habit.    -   5. Single light yellow green and red purple to greyed purple        bi-colored flowers.    -   6. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of the female parentselection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Helleborus are taller than plants of the        female parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Helleborus have light yellow green and red        purple to greyed purple bi-colored flowers whereas plants of the        female parent selection have cream-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of the male parentselection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Helleborus are taller than plants of the        male parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Helleborus have fewer and darker        green-colored leaves than plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Helleborus can be compared to plants of Helleborus xericsmithii x Helleborus x hybridus ‘COSEH 5200’, disclosed in a U.S.Plant Patent application filed concurrently. Plants of the newHelleborus differ primarily from plants of ‘COSEH 5200’ in flower coloras plants of the new Helleborus have light yellow green and red purpleto greyed purple bi-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘COSEH 5200’ havepurple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Helleborus can be compared to plants of Helleborus xericsmithii x Helleborus x hybridus ‘COSEH 5300’, disclosed in a U.S.Plant Patent application filed concurrently. Plants of the newHelleborus differ primarily from plants of ‘COSEH 5300’ in flower coloras plants of the new Helleborus have light yellow green and red purpleto greyed purple bi-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘COSEH 5300’ havepurple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Helleborus can be compared to plants of Helleborus xericsmithii x Helleborus x hybridus ‘COSEH 5400’, disclosed in a U.S.Plant Patent application filed concurrently. Plants of the newHelleborus differ primarily from plants of ‘COSEH 5400’ in flower coloras plants of the new Helleborus have light yellow green and red purpleto greyed purple bi-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘COSEH 5400’ havewhite and red purple bi-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Helleborus can also be compared to plants ofHelleborus x hybridus ‘Anna's Red’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.24,720 (known as ‘ABCRD02’, also known as ‘Anna's Red’). In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Helleborus differ primarily from plantsof ‘Anna's Red’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Helleborus have less distinct        venation than leaves of plants of ‘Anna's Red’.    -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Helleborus are light yellow        green and red purple to greyed purple bi-colored whereas flowers        of plants of ‘Anna's Red’ are red in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Helleborus plant showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Helleborus plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 2) is a side perspectiveview of a typical flowering plant of ‘COSEH 5100’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 2) is a close-up view oftypical flowers and leaves of ‘COSEH 5100’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown during December in 17-cm containers ina glass-covered greenhouse in Glandorf, Germany and under culturalpractices typical of commercial Helleborus production. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 12° C. to 32° C.and night temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 12° C. Plants were 14 monthsold when the photographs and the description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Helleborus x ericsmithii x Helleborus x    hybridus ‘COSEH 5100’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Unnamed selection of Helleborus x            ericsmithii, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Unnamed selection of Helleborus x            hybridus, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—In vitro axillary meristem culture.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 55 days at            temperatures about 12° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 170 days            at temperatures ranging from 4° C. to 15° C.        -   Root description.—Thick to thin, fleshy; typically white to            brown in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Low branching; sparse.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; upright and            mounding plant habit with flowers held within and above the            foliar plane; plant shape, roughly flattened globular to            broadly obovate; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth            habit and moderate to rapid growth rate.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 27            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.—About 40.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 50.6 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves arranged in a basal rosette; leaves            palmately compound with typically five leaflets per leaf.        -   Leaf length.—About 16.6 cm.        -   Leaf width.—About 20.5 cm.        -   Leaflet length.—About 12.1 cm.        -   Leaflet width.—About 5.4 cm.        -   Leaf shape.—Palmate; reniform in outline.        -   Leaflet shape.—Narrowly ovate to ovate.        -   Leaflet apex.—Acute to narrowly acute.        -   Leaflet base.—Attenuate.        -   Leaflet margin.—Serrate; slightly and coarsely undulate.        -   Leaflet texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            leathery; slightly to moderately glossy.        -   Leaflet texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            leathery; slightly glossy.        -   Leaflet venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Leaflet color.—Developing leaflets, upper surface: Close to            137A. Developing leaflets, lower surface: Close to 147A;            midvein, close to 177A. Fully developed leaflets, upper            surface: Close to darker than between 147A and N189A;            venation, close to 147B. Fully developed leaflets, lower            surface: Close to 144A; proximally, close to 200C; venation,            close to N199B.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 16.3 cm. Diameter: About 5.5 mm to            7 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte to slightly glossy. Color,            upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144A; densely covered            with fine dots, close to 183C; proximally, dots, close to            between N186C and 200B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower shape and habit.—Single rotate flowers; flowers            slightly to moderately cupped; arranged solitary or in            clusters with about twelve flowers each; moderately freely            flowering habit with about 25 flowers developing per plant;            flowers facing outwardly to slightly nodding.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about ten            months after planting; plants flower during the late autumn            into the winter in Germany.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About ten days; sepals            persistent, other flower parts are not persistent.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 2.2 cm. Diameter: About 1.2 cm.            Shape: Ovate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.            Color: Close to 145C; towards the margins, flushed with            close to 185C.        -   Inflorescence height.—About 39.8 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 19 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—About 7.6 cm by 7.6 cm.        -   Flower depth (height).—About 2.5 cm.        -   Petals.—All petals are transformed into nectaries.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: About five, arranged in a            single whorl. Length: About 4.3 cm. Width: About 3.6 cm.            Shape: Broadly ovate, slightly concave. Apex: Obtuse. Base:            Truncate to rounded and cuneate. Margin: Entire; not            undulate. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,            glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth,            glabrous; matte to slightly glossy. Color: When opening and            fully opened, upper surface: Close to 150D; towards the            margins and apex, moderately flushed, marbled and veined            with close to 59B to 59C and 187D; with development, close            to 144B moderately flushed and marbled with close to 59A.            When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 150D;            towards the margins and apex, heavily flushed, marbled and            veined with close to 60B and 60C; with development, close to            144C and 147D moderately flushed and marbled with close to            59A to 59C.        -   Flower bracts.—Quantity per flower: Typically one or two.            Length: About 7.3 cm. Width: About 3.3 cm. Shape: Ovate.            Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Margin: Serrate; slightly and            coarsely undulate. Color, upper surface: Close to 137B;            venation, close to 178A. Color, lower surface: Slightly            darker than 148A; venation, close to 178A.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 30.5 cm. Diameter: About 7.5 mm to            9 mm. Aspect: About 10° from vertical. Strength: Strong.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy.            Color: Close to 145A; heavily and finely dotted, close to            176B.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Aspect:            About 15° from peduncle axis. Strength: Moderately strong.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy.            Color: Close to 145A to 145B; slightly to moderately and            finely dotted, close to 182B to 182C.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About 80.            Filament length: About 1.6 cm. Filament color: Close to            145D. Anther shape: Double and broadly reniform; basifixed.            Anther size: About 2 mm by 2.25 mm. Anther color: Close to            150D. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 4D.            Pistils: Quantity per flower: About two to four. Pistil            length: About 9 mm. Stigma diameter: About 0.3 mm. Stigma            shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to 150D. Style            length: About 8 mm. Style color: Close to 182B to 182C;            distally, close to 150D. Ovary color: Close to between 145D            and 150D. Nectaries (transformed petals): Quantity per            flower: About ten. Length: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About            5 mm. Shape: Tubular, flattened. Texture and luster, inner            and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy.            Color, immature, inner and outer surfaces: Close to 144C,            distally, close to N144B and proximally, close to 144B.            Color, mature, inner and outer surfaces: Close to 144C,            distally, close to N144B and proximally, close to 144B; with            development, close to 144A, distally, close to 153C to 153D.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Helleborus.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Helleborus have been observed    to have good garden performance and to tolerate rain, wind, high    temperatures about 35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness    Zones 5 through 9.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Helleborus    have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common    to Helleborus plants.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Helleborus plant named ‘COSEH 5100’as illustrated and described.